Recovering Seats

Anyone can recover a seat, they just need patience and a little know how. I'm not much of a sower so I usually have to get creative with my fabric folding. One of these days I'll learn the art of the quick stitch, but until then folding will do the trick. I thought I would give a couple quick hints to help you recovering process.

#1. The Original

When you find your chair, start simple for your first project. If you go big, you might just go home! Also, survey the damage. You may need to stop and pick up new foam or wood filler - look for damage! Also check to see how tight the fabric is... Sometimes the fabric is so tight it's not letting the foam breath. Take for instance my last project -

It looks like the padding is ruined, but once I took the fabric off the foam was actually in great shape! Whoever recovered the chair pulled the fabric tight in certain areas which shifted the foam.

#2 - The RE-Recover

Always check the bottom of the chair, you can usually tell if it's factory or a rehab. In older furniture you'll find tacks instead of staples and if it's original everything is usually evenly spaced. If you see odd staple jobs, you will most likely uncover a workload... Exhibit A -

Which leads to Exhibit B -

If that's not something you plan on working through, don't start!

#3 - Finishing Up

When recovering the chair remember to leave a little room for the fabric to move if it's a bigger project. Dining room chairs can usually stand to be tight, but a chair like the one above needs to move a little. You don't want someone sitting and either ripping the fabric or popping staples! The second thing is please be kind. Remember how that chair came to you, full of staples. Don't go all Rambo with the staple gun, be precise and calculated like James Bond. If all else fails have a friend help, stapling is easier with four hands. With a little luck you'll have a matching household accessory!

There's always more tips and tricks, but those are a few that help me! 

Good Luck Rehabbers!!